Energy Distribution and Mechanism in 3-Chloro-3-methyldiazirine Photolysis

Abstract

Gas-phase photolysis of pure 3-chloro-3-methyldiazirine over a wide range of pressure (133- 1.015 x 105 N m~2) was performed at 334 and 313 nm. The reaction produces “ hot ” vinyl chloride with enough energy to subsequently decompose. The fit ot calculated (RRKM) to experimental rates for this decomposition allows determination of energy distribution functions of the vinyl chloride compatible with the data. A close examination of these functions shows that at least two pathways of vinyl chloride formation are required to explain the experimental results.